Can you meet outside in Tier 3?

LOCKDOWN is due to end on December 2, after which areas will be placed into one of three tiers. But can you meet outside in Tier 3?

By Georgina Laud, Engagement Editor

Chris Whitty: Hugging elderly relatives 'does not make sense'

After a month-long second lockdown, the government’s three-tier system will come into effect on December 2. This means areas across England will be placed into one of the three tiers based on the number of cases, infection rate and strain on the NHS.

The strictest of these tiers is Tier 3, which 23.3 million people in England, or 41.5 percent of the population, will be in from December 2.

Tier 3 rules will be in force in 119 local authority areas, including those in Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham.

You can check the full list of which areas are in which tier .

Rules have been toughened across all three tiers, as before the second lockdown the existing tier system had not been enough to bring the R-rate below one.

Read More: 'This will spark despair!' Family Christmases will cause 'HUGE' surge

Tier 3 rules: Boris Johnson

Can you meet outside in Tier 3? (Image: GETTY)

Tier 3 rules: Manchester tier rules

Tier 3 rules: Tier 3 rules will be in force in 119 local authority areas, including those in Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham (Image: GETTY)

Across all tiers, everyone:

  • must wear a face-covering in most indoor public settings, unless they have an exemption
  • should follow the rules on meeting others safely
  • should attend school or college as normal, unless they are self-isolating. Schools, universities, colleges and early years settings remain open in all tiers
  • should walk or cycle where possible, plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes when travelling
  • must follow the gathering limits at their tier except for in specific settings and circumstances. These exemptions are detailed at the end of this guidance

Tier 3 rules: Boris Johnson press conference

Tier 3 rules: Mr Johnson addressed the nation on Thursday night (Image: GETTY)

Can you meet outside in Tier 3?

Tier 3 is regarded as very high alert and is for areas with a very high or very rapidly rising level of infections.

Tiers will be reviewed every two weeks, and can be moved both up and down or remain the same dependent on COVID-19 cases.

The rules include the closure of hospitality venues like bars, restaurants and cafes unless for delivery.

Hotels, B&Bs and campsites must remain closed, and indoor entertainment venues like bingo halls, bowling alleys and cinemas must not open.

DON'T MISS
Spain holidays: Latest FCDO update for Spain and Canary Islands [INSIGHT]
Andy Burnham hits out at No10's 'divide and rule' Covid tactics [VIDEO]
Tier poll: Are the Covid lockdown restrictions tough enough? VOTE [POLL]

In terms of meeting anyone, the rules state anyone in a Tier 3 area must not meet socially indoors or in most outdoor places with anybody you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble.

This includes in any private garden or at most outdoor venues.

Elsewhere, you must not socialise in a group of more than six.

This includes outdoor public spaces, such as parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, a public garden, grounds of a heritage site or castle, or a sports facility.

Tier 3 rules: Tiers explained

Tier 3 rules: Across England, local authorities are in one of three tiers (Image: EXPRESS)

Tier 3 rules: National Lockdown warning

Tier 3 rules: The nationwide lockdown will end on December 2 (Image: GETTY)

Those in Tier 3 areas can travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible.

Tier 3 residents should avoid travelling to other parts of the UK, including for overnight stays other than where necessary.

Necessary reasons include for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.

This will change come Christmas, with a five-day reprieve in the rules to allow families to see one another.

From December 23 to December 27, up to three households can form a Christmas bubble. 

The Government guidelines state between December 23 to December 27:

  • you can form an exclusive ‘Christmas bubble’ composed of people from no more than three households
  • you can only be in one Christmas bubble
  • you cannot change your Christmas bubble
  • you can travel between tiers and UK nations for the purposes of meeting your Christmas bubble
  • you can only meet your Christmas bubble in private homes or in your garden, places of worship, or public outdoor spaces
  • you can continue to meet people who are not in your Christmas bubble outside your home according to the rules in the tier where you are staying
  • you cannot meet someone in a private dwelling who is not part of your household or Christmas bubble

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?